Chapter 55: Let the Battle Begin!

On the USS Eisenhower, US Captain Carl Thomas kept his gaze fixed on the distance.

His second-in-command stood nearby, reporting the movements of various forces.

"Carl, should we continue to close in?"

A hint of worry flickered across the deputy's face.

This was a situation they had never faced before. In the past, they had always fought asymmetric wars—essentially bullying the weak. But today, they were facing China, a nation whose military seemed to have fully completed its transition to information-based warfare!

"Continue closing in. They will definitely bow their heads!"

Carl Thomas lifted his chin high, his tone brimming with confidence. The previous president had repeatedly forced that yellow-skinned monkey nation to kowtow on economic issues; surely, under his command, they could do the same!

"Hmph, daring to defy us. They're courting death!"

With five aircraft carrier strike groups in hand, coupled with the vassal fleets of Japan and South Korea, Carl Thomas felt invincible now. Across the entire globe, who could possibly dare to stand against him?!

No one!

He could strike whoever he wanted whenever he wanted!

The great Eastern power?

They would get beaten just the same!

Clutching sharp weapons, his murderous intent gradually grew. Holding the command of the entire allied fleet, Carl Thomas's ambition swelled relentlessly. Looking at the long coastline on the map and the Chinese navy sandwiched in the middle, he offered a cold smile.

"If they dare to refuse, I will have their pride-filled navy buried in these waters!"

"We will break their pride and make them just like Japan and South Korea—nothing more than our slaves!"

Ambition swelled ever larger in Carl Thomas's heart. He could already picture himself rising rapidly within the United States, seizing this opportunity to become the supreme commander of the US military with absolute military power in his grasp. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became—so much so that the hand gripping the railing beside him began to tremble slightly.

Time ticked away second by second.

"Beep, beep, beep—"

"Captain Carl!" The radar operator at the three-person console widened his eyes and reported with immediate astonishment: "The cruiser's radar has detected an enemy aircraft flying straight toward us, and the plane is broadcasting warnings to drive us away!"

"A warning to drive us away?"

Carl gave a disdainful smile and muttered contemptuously, "All they can do is talk big."

"Put me through to Fred. Has the other side still not caved?"

Were they going to fight or not! Carl Thomas was itching to start the fight right now and deal a crippling blow to their navy. Otherwise, having those buzzing mosquitoes whining relentlessly nearby was simply infuriating!

"We have already connected to Mr. President..."

"Mr. Fred, what is your intention?"

The call was connected, and Carl Thomas, eager to crush his opponent, immediately asked.

"My intention?"

On the other end, Fred's voice was volatile, surging with fury. He let out a cold laugh and shouted loudly:

"My intention is to strike them!"

"FXXK! We gave them face, but they want none of it!"

The roar seemed to tear right out of Fred's throat. Judging by the degree of his anger, it was clear the other side had undoubtedly refused.

And indeed, that was the case.

Facing Fred's threatening video and rhetoric, the Chinese Foreign Minister had simply said a single, calm sentence to the world's media:

"Please let the relevant parties not say we didn't warn you!"

Having said that, the Foreign Minister left the podium.

Chinese citizens familiar with this phrase immediately understood what it meant. The leadership was saying:

Go crush those bastards!

Although Fred did not understand the true meaning of the phrase, or perhaps understood it and simply didn't care, China had indeed refused. And their refusal was absolute and unyielding!

Since that was the case...

Fred sneered, hung up the phone with Carl Thomas, looked out the window of his office at the sky, and murmured softly:

"Since you are seeking your own destruction, I will grant your wish!!!"

...

Hum—

The unmanned J-10 fighter jet continued flying straight ahead.

Perhaps the Air Force deemed the moment had arrived. Suddenly, it banked sharply and began flying back.

On the bridge of the Eisenhower, the corners of Carl Thomas's mouth hooked upward into a ruthless smile. He gently hung up the phone, knowing what needed to be done. Staring at the radar screen where the target had just turned around, he smiled eericly and muttered to himself:

"Little thing, you want to run now? It's too late!"

Pausing for a moment, he suddenly turned around and shouted to his second-in-command:

"Notify the entire Allied Fleet—starting from now—"

"War has begun!"

Having delivered those solemn words, he pointed at the dot on the radar and smiled faintly:

"And besides that, shoot that little sparrow down for me immediately!"

"Yes!"

Hearing that the battle was commencing, the deputy stomped his feet to a halt and scurried off to transmit the orders.

"Woo—"

The wailing shriek of an air-raid siren rang out.

A US Ticonderoga-class cruiser defiantly launched an air-defense missile!

Whoosh—

The missile moved at extreme speed, streaking directly toward the aircraft in the sky.

Barely a minute passed.

"Boom!"

The missile struck the aircraft.

A fireball bloomed in the sky, and the shattered machine, wreathed in fire and black smoke, plummeted violently downward.

This single missile was America's declaration of war.

Watching the ball of fire in the sky, Carl felt an immense sense of exhilaration.

"Ha, let them witness the invincible navy of the United States of America!"

Hum—

A low roar swept across the sea.

All five aircraft carriers were operating at full firepower, continuously catapulting aircraft into the air. Meanwhile, all cruisers and destroyers pushed forward, maneuvering into combat positions.

The war had begun!

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the US fleet, the South Korean and Japanese fleets were completely dumbfounded.

They had received no prior notification from the US military. Although they had boxed in the fleet of the great Eastern power, this was right on their opponent's doorstep. They had originally thought this would be just like 2016—a round of threats followed by a sloppy, anticlimactic conclusion.

However, the sudden appearance of the fireball in the sky shattered their illusions with a single blow.

"They actually attacked!"

A gleam of light flashed in the eyes of the Japanese commander. The US military had genuinely destroyed a warship of the great Eastern power. Since the war had begun, his mind began to race.

"Perhaps, taking advantage of this opportunity to suppress the great Eastern power, we can seize their islands!"

Japan had always harbored covetous designs on certain islands. If the United States could crush their navy, they could push forward, land on the islands by force, and declare sovereignty!

"As long as the great Eastern power is crushed, we can call upon Vietnam and strike together!"

A flash of excitement crossed the Japanese commander's eyes. At the same time, he did not forget to immediately follow the actions of his "father."

"Notify all warships immediately to launch the attack!"

Furthermore, on the other side, the South Korean fleet found themselves with no choice under these circumstances but to follow their suzerain state into battle.

In an instant, the fleets of the three nations launched their strikes one after another.

From the looks of it, the entire Chinese fleet was in perilous danger!